Abstract: Apparatus according to the present invention is provided for conducting cranial X-ray tomography and radiography of human subjects and includes a horizontally oriented, motor driven rotatable shaft for imparting controlled rotation to an elongate support member having an X-ray source and film holder provided at opposed end portions thereof. The apparatus includes a cephalometer which supports the head of the subject at a fixed position during X-ray tomography and radiography procedures. The horizontal rotary shaft of the apparatus is controllably movable laterally, preferably horizontally, between successive X-ray exposures to achieve successive tomographic images on the X-ray film representing sections or cuts of the cranial site of interest.

Abstract: A medical X-ray image detecting device wherein the fluorescent surface of a narrow belt-shaped X-ray fluorescen plate which emits light at the time of irradiation of X-ray through a slit is divided to rectangular units, optical fiber bundles are distributed alternately right and left and arranged vertically, the one end surface of each optical fiber bundle is attached to one of the divided fluorescent surface unit, the other end surface of each optical fiber bundle is attached to the image pickup surface of a solid-state image pickup device to make image formation possible, and the solid-state image pickup device is disposed behind an X-ray shielding member by which the slit is formed.

Abstract: A panoramic method for the radiography of the dental arch and jaws, in which method by means of movable radiographing and/or imaged elements, several subsequent exposure sweep sequences are performed so that the moving elements are transferred to a new position betwen the subsequent exposure sequences. In order to achieve a perfectly jointed X-ray picture, the movement of the moving elements is started before the switch-on instant of the X-ray beam in the latter exposure sequence and the starting positions of said elements is selected so as to obtain desired positions and velocities for the elements at the switch-on instant of the X-ray beam. The coincidence of the X-ray beam orientation at the start of the latter exposure sequence with the X-ray beam orientation at the end of the preceding sequence is characterizing to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A dental x-ray diagnostics installation for producing panorama tomograms of the jaw of a patient has clocked CCD sensors which generate electrical signals proportional to the radiation intensity thereon, and which are operated at a speed to simulate a moving x-ray film. For the purpose of simultaneously acquiring exposures of a number of different jaw slices at different depths of field during one exposure, at least some of the CCD columns are driven with different clock frequencies by separate clock inputs.

Abstract: Dental X-ray apparatus for panoramic tomography in which an X-ray source and X-ray detection means are carried by a moving mechanism for panoramic imaging movements including translation and rotation of the X-ray source and of the detection means with respect to an object to be examined. The panoramic movements are controlled by data momentally supplied from a microcomputer for two individual translation movements in a plane and for rotation movement about an axis perpendicular to that plane.

Abstract: A dental radiographic apparatus for photographing the entire jaws in which the apparatus includes a rotary arm having an X-ray source at one end and an X-ray film cassette at the other end thereof and operating in the manner that a path of movement of X-ray beam with respect to the dental arch describes a symmetrically extending approximately triangular envelope projecting toward the front tooth region of the dental arch by sequentially shifting the center of rotation of the X-ray beam irradiated from the X-ray source upon the X-ray film cassette, the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises a means for changing the straight-line distance on the medial line of the human body between the apex and receding points of limit of the envelope.

Abstract: A method for generating synthesized cross-sectional images perpendicular to a line or curve that approximates the shape of a structure scanned by a non-intrusive cross-sectional image generating device, such as a CT, MR, or ultrasonic scanner. The inventive method involves three basic processes: generation of a set of perpendicular lines along an initial curve that approximates the curvature of the scanned structure; selection from each original scanned image of pixels corresponding to discrete points on each of the generated perpendicular lines; and interpolation between adjacent lines of pixels collected in the second step to generate a complete perpendicular cross-sectional image. The invention permits making a single pass through all axial image data, during which selected pixels for a perpendicular cross-sectional view are collected in a temporary data file for subsequent interpolation for display purposes.

Abstract: A dental x-ray diagnostics installation for producing panorama tomograms of the jaw of a patient has a radiation source and a detector, which converts x-radiation into corresponding light radiation, disposed on opposite sides of the patient. The detector is preceded by a secondary diaphragm. The radiation source, the detector and the secondary diaphragm are rotated around the patient so that radiation attenuated by the jaw, and passing through the secondary diaphragm is incident on the detector. At least one CCD sensor is provided on which light radiation generated by the detector is incident. The CCD sensor converts the light radiation into electrical signals. The sensor has an image zone with a number of lines parallel to a longitudinal extent of the opening of the secondary diaphragm, and has a storage zone. The lines in combination receive all of the light radiation so as to generate a complete charge image corresponding to the x-radiation incident on the detector.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for marking a film with information, e.g. patient data and other possible information in X-ray photography, such as panoramic tomography. The X-ray beam creating the X-ray photograph, and the X-ray film move in a certain manner in relation to one another. A certain area of the film is reserved for markings which are latently made thereon, to become visible when the X-ray film is developed. Markings are made simultaneously with the film exposure to the X-ray beam for the X-ray photography. The markings are sequentially made by using relative movement of the radiation with which the marking is made upon the film and the film itself, such relative movement being synchronized with the relative movement of the X-ray beam to which the film is exposed for the actual X-ray photography, and the film itself, the relative movement preferably representing a parallel deflection or displacement along a marking row.

Abstract: A dental x-ray diagnostic installation for the production of panoramic exposures of slices of the skull of the patient particularly in the region of the jaw, characterized by an exposure unit with an x-ray unit pivotable around an axis and displaceable in a plane perpendicular to the axis, a film holder unit lying opposite and moveable relative to the x-ray unit, a head holder arranged between the two units, a control arrangement for controlling the pivoting and displacement movement of the exposure unit relative to the head holder and also controlling the movement of the film holder relative to the x-ray tube of the exposure means and an input arrangement for inputting information of the selected curvature of the slice being exposed. The improvements are that the input means is constructed so that the curvature of the slice to be exposed can be directly graphically inputted into the control arrangement such as by means of a monitor with a light pen or by means of a "computer graphic tablet".

Abstract: A dental x-ray diagnostics installation for generating panorama tomograms of a patient has a rotary unit on which a radiation source and a carrier for a film cassette are mounted. The rotary unit is mounted so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis and can also be swivelled at right angles relative to the axis of symmetry of the patient while simultaneously undergoing rotational motion. The mount for the film cassette can be adjusted relative to the radiation source independently of adjustment of the rotary unit. A control unit operates the rotary unit so that, proceeding from an initial position, the rotary unit is repeatedly rotated by a selected angle corresponding to a desired area to be examined, and further controls the drive for the film cassette at a speed corresponding to a selected tomogram position upon each repeated transillumination of the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of photographing a desired object with a panoramic X-ray apparatus fitted with automatic exposure, comprising an X-ray generator (4, 5), an X-ray tube (5) and a film (7) with its holder. In the method, the detection of a cone of rays (9) penetrated through an object is effected before the actual filming is started and, after the detection, the filming is effected by using a cone of rays (6), directed so as to bypass a detector (1).

Abstract: Panoramic tomography X-ray apparatus such as for obtaining images of dental systems, comprises a rotatably mounted arm to which the X-ray tube of an X-ray generator and an X-ray film cartridge, along with film transport equipment, are mounted, and a control system for controlling the functioning of the equipment of the apparatus on the basis of control data and a program pre-stored therein. A control system controls the speed of a rotary motion motor that rotates the arm, the speed of the film transport motor and the distribution of those speeds, independently of each other. In this manner, it is possible to photograph dental systems of varying sizes and shapes both sharply and with suitable exposure time. In addition to controlling the speeds of the rotary motion and film transport motors, the control system may also control the anode current and/or the anode voltage of the X-ray generator during the exposure sequence.

Abstract: An x-ray diagnostic installation for producing panoramic tomograms of the jaw of a patient utilizes a flexible film cassette instead of a rigid film cassette. The film cassette is driven by an electromotive drive arranged in a housing of a film cassette holder behind a secondary diaphragm as seen in the direction of the radiation from a source of radiation. The drive is formed from by at least one drive element, and at least one cooperating element arranged thereto at a distance therefrom with means biasing at least one of the elements towards the other to produce a frictional engagement of the film cassette and move it past the secondary diaphragm.

Abstract: A radiation image recording and read-out apparatus comprises a tomographic type panoramic image recording section and a read-out and erasing section positioned so that the image recording section is rotatable with respect to the read-out and erasing section. The image recording section comprises a radiation source rotatable around an object, and an image recording box positioned to face the radiation source and rotate around the object together with the radiation source for recording a radiation image on a stimulable phosphor sheet by moving the stimulable phosphor sheet in synchronization with rotation of the radiation source. The read-out and erasing section comprises an image read-out system, an erasing system, and a circulation and conveyance system for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet from the image recording box to the image read-out system, and then to the image recording box.

Abstract: A panoramic tomography X-ray apparatus comprises a fixed frame to which another rotary frame is suspended, the rotary frame having an X-ray tube at one end thereof and a film cartridge device for X-ray film at an opposite end thereof. Drive mechanism for turning the rotary frame in a substantially horizontal plane is provided, for taking a panoramic X-ray photograph. The drive mechanism comprise a drive and guide groove which has straight side sections and a curved section connecting the side sections together and a drive unit also comprising a drive wheel which, when rotated by the drive unit, turns the rotary frame. The rotary frame is suspended from the fixed frame by a crank mechanism which is joined to both the rotary frame and to the fixed frame through respective sets of bearings. The drive and guide mechanism along with the crank mechanism interact in such a manner that, in the front area of a dental arch, i.e.

Abstract: The invention relates to a patient support system in a narrow-beam tomographic X-ray apparatus, having a fixed frame fitted with a substantially vertical member (1), means (7, 8, 9) mounted on the frame for supporting a patient's head, said means being adapted to hold a patient's head (P) steady during the imaging session, as well as a bearer bar (3), fitted with a source of X-radiation (4) and imaging instruments (5) on the opposite sides relative to an object to be imaged and said bar being adapted in a known manner to perform rotational or combined rotational linear movement for scanning a predetermined layer to be imaged. In order to facilitate patient positioning and to secure proper positioning of a patient, said head support means (7, 8, 9) are set in a manner that the medial sagittal plane (S) of a patient supported thereby does not intersect said vertical frame member (1).

Abstract: A dental radiographic apparatus for photographing the entire jaws in which the apparatus includes a rotary arm having an X-ray source at one end and an X-ray film cassette at the other end thereof and operating in the manner that a path of movement of X-ray beam with respect to the dental arch describer a symmetrically extending approximately triangular envelope projecting toward the front tooth region of the dental arch by sequentially shifting the center of rotation of the X-ray beam irradiated from the X-ray source upon the X-ray film cassette, the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises a means for changing the straight-line distance on the medial line of the human body between the apex and receding points of limit of the envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus for panoramic X-ray photography of the area of the dentition and the jaws, comprising a frame part, a bearing part linearly movable in relation to the frame part, and a support arm attached rotatably to the bearing part, and having at one end an X-ray film and at the opposite end an X-ray source. The movements of the bearing part, the support arm and the film are synchronized in such a way that an image of an area of desired shape, e.g. the patient's dental arch, is obtained on the film. The invention provides the effect that the X-ray beam can be tilted to a desired angle in relation to the horizontal, whereby it is possible with greater sharpness to photograph, for example, teeth slanted in relation to the vertical. For this purpose, the support arm is tiltable about an axis perpendicular to its rotational axis so that, when this axis is vertical, the straight line connecting the source of radiation and the film is obligue to the horizontal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dental X-ray diagnostic unit for panoramic planigraphy, with a radiation source, an X-ray film cassette that is moved during the exposure in relation to the radiation source, with an adjusting mechanism to move the radiation source and the cassette around the object, and with a slit stop located in the radiation path between the radiation source and the cassette. For a given exposure process, the time sequence of the dosage from the radiation source can be predetermined by a control apparatus.

Abstract: A radiographic apparatus for photographing the entire jaws designed to make a tomogram of a curved plane approximate to a dental arch by the locus of center of rotation of the X-ray beam projected from an X-ray source onto an X-ray film holder describing an approximately V-shaped envelope which forms an apex on an approximate medial line and recedes from the apex toward the left and right of the approximate medial line by moving a rotary arm around a patient, the arm having the X-ray source at one end and the X-ray film holder at the other end thereof, wherein the apparatus comprises a means for changing straight-line distance on the approximate medial line between the apex and receding point of limit of the envelope and a means for indicating the distance of shift thus changed or a means for automatically moving the indication means a distance equal to the distance of shift.

Abstract: A dental panoramic X-ray photographing apparatus including a rotary arm having an X-ray generator disposed at one end thereof and having an X-ray film cassette holder disposed at the other end thereof in an opposite relation with each other around an object disposed therebetween. The apparatus comprises a first control means for controlling the rotation speed of the arm by detecting the rotation position of the arm and a second control means for controlling the tube voltage and the tube current of the X-ray generator by comparing the feeding speed of the X-ray film at the X-ray film cassette holder with the residual X-ray dose which has passed the object and the film, whereby it is intended to provide the simultaneous control function of the tube voltage and the tube current, the function for automatic exposure throughout the entire teeth and the function for compensating for the density of the central portion of the front tooth region of a dental arch at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a panoramic tomography X-ray apparatus, particularly a so-called narrow beam tomographic apparatus for imaging the teeth and jaw area of a patient, wherein an X-ray source (14) and imaging means, e.g. a film cassette (6), are by means of an arm member (13) or the like connected to each other on opposite sides of a target to be imaged and adapted for the actual imaging to be rotated around said target to be imaged. For establishing a constant magnification or enlargement and reducing a radiation dosage the apparatus comprises means for moving said imaging means during the imaging in the direction parallel to a beam of X-rays (15) in a manner that the distance of said imaging means from a selected layer to be imaged remains substantially unchanged. In practice, this is achieved by employing a guide profile (2), from which said imaging means are kept during the imaging at a constant distance by means of a motion in the direction of said beam of X-rays (15).

Abstract: A dental X-ray diagnostic device for producing panoramic layer exposures of a subject particularly panoramic layer exposures of a jaw characterized by an X-ray source mounted on an arm of a carriage, a cassette which receives X-ray film and is rotatably mounted on the arm so that when the arm of the carriage is rotated both the source and cassette rotate around the subject with the cassette also being rotated relatively on the arm and a slit diaphragm having a changeable effective width for varying the thickness of the layer in which sharp images can be obtained.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dental radiographic apparatus for photographing the entire jaws designed to control the rotation of a rotary arm such that the film surface of a film holder mounted at one end of the rotary arm may rotate and move substantially at equal speed substantially equidistantly along the dental arch and that the X-ray beams irradiated upon the film surface from an X-ray generator mounted at the other end of the arm may fall on the dental arch at any point thereof at right angles with the arch. The apparatus makes it possible to obtain a very clear tomographic picture of a curved plane of the entire jaws, the picture being free of a double image of the teeth, partial change in enlargement ratio of the image obtained, and partial difference in the shade of the image obtained.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the improvement of a tomograph for photographing the entire jaws which is designed to make an X-ray photograph of a curved plane section of an object by changing the rotating output of a motor for driving a rotary arm by using an eccentric cam means to control a film feed speed by the rotary output thus change. This apparatus includes a tachogenerator for converting the rotating output of the rotary arm driving motor into an electric output, a voltage shunting means for shunting the output of the tachogenerator to three paths, a reference point correction circuit and a changeover resistance means, and is capable of providing a clear X-ray photograph of a patient in the range of adults to children without necessity to change the eccentric cams nor the position of the patient.

Abstract: A slit collimator for use in a panoramic X-ray apparatus for the collimation of X-rays into a narrow fan-like beam. The collimation is achieved by means of a collimator slit formed in a trunion which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and by rotating the trunion the effective radiation-penetrable size of the slit is varied.

Abstract: A dental tomography apparatus comprises three drive motors for displacing the film and the X-ray source in two mutually perpendicular directions in a horizontal plane and for pivoting the carrier which connects the film and the X-ray source. The control signals for the motor drives are derived from the contour of the dentition by means of a plate which is covered by contacts on which the patient exerts a pressure by biting, so that the contacts whose position corresponds to the shape of the dentition are actuated. Therefrom, the contour of the dentition is determined by an arithmetic unit which supplies the control signals for the drive motors.

Abstract: A digital dental system and method for real time display of a patient's dental image to detect changes with respect to at least one previous dental image of the patient. The system comprises an imaging unit for obtaining a real time dental image from the patient, a converter for converting the real time dental image to digital form, an input device for inputting further digital signals corresponding to at least one previous dental image of the patient, a processor for processing the digital signals and the further digital signals to develop corresponding display signals and further display signals, and a display unit and at least one further display unit for simultaneously and in real time displaying the dental image and the at least one previous dental image, respectively, of the patient. A preferred embodiment of the invention involves whole picture processing of the present and previous dental images to determine changes or differences therebetween.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dental radiographic apparatus for photographing the entire jaws having a rotary arm including an X-ray generator disposed in an opposed relation with an X-ray film feed means. The apparatus includes a means for detecting electrically the shape and characteristics of an object through the position of the rotary arm rotated and a means for automatically controlling the rotation speed of the arm and the feed speed of an X-ray film in response to the detection signal generated by the electrical detection means, whereby it is intended to provide a clear and sharp X-ray photographic image free from distortion, uniform in density and optional in rate of enlargement.